B4T - Before Testosterone

A Theatre Piece by Imani Henry

B4T is a smart, funny, and moving multi-media theatre piece that explores race, sexuality and gender expression through the lives of three Black, masculine, female-bodied people. Written and performed by Imani Henry

B4T played to sold-out audiences and standing ovations in NYC. B4T has been featured on national television and presented at festivals, conferences and campuses across the country.

B4T National Tour is made possible by the generous contributions of: African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change, Antonieta Gimeno & Pat O'Brien, Astraea National Lesbian Action Foundation, The Audre Lorde Project, The Brooklyn Arts Exchange, The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, Collette Carter, Fast Friday Productions, Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley, The International Action Center, The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, The National Writers Union, Henri Nereaux, Marya Warshaw & Jane Raferty, The WOW Cafe Theatre and Administrative & Technical Support Provided by: BF Sound, DYKE TV, Rosamond King of Eating Artist Services, Janet Mayes, Akilah Oliver, Elena J. Peckman, Peoples Video Network, Ivory Sampson, Lallan Schoenstein, Daniel Solitis & Workers World Party

Synopsis

LaShawnda "Shawn" -  Through video installments of this character’s life the audience witnesses what it is like to live in a butch body, experiencing everyday struggles (which bathroom to use?) and the confusion of others (Miss? Sir?) which too often end in harassment and violence.

Keith - Able to pass as male since childhood, Keith describes the acceptance of his family and friends, the realities of racism and transphobia (fear of gender variant people).

Imani - Through this Caribbean-American character, the audience sees the hurt, humor, and strength involved when a family rejects someone whose sexuality or gender expression doesn’t fit their norm - and many will recognize the common problems of three generations trying to understand each other.

The play's other live performer is Ashanti, a graduate student who has a personal and professional interest in researching Black lesbian and transgender issues, and is hoping through her project to reconnect through her project to reconnect with an old butch friend who has disappeared.

These voices are connected by threads of discovery, rejection, and love. B4T’s action - from serious to funny - is framed by videos of LaShawnda "Shawn’s" life, and the characters are connected through their relationships to Ashanti.

Not all of the stories in B4T have happy endings, but audiences regularly rise to their feet at the end of the piece because they’ve been moved by the lives shared with them. When the lights come up, the questions “What are you? A man? A woman?” have become less important than "Who are you? What is your story?"

What People Are Saying About B4T

"The best of the as-yet untold tales of the queer underground still belong to the FTMs; and the most exciting of these tales are being told in Imani Henry's B4T (Before Testosterone). Mr. Henry combines the raw experience of his subject matter with the finely-honed precision of his acting, and the result is breathtaking. This is exactly the kind of fresh, proud, high quality new queer theater I've been looking for. This is standing ovation stuff."
Kate Bornstein, author of Gender Outlaw

"B4T is 2B Seen by everyone. Writer/ Actor Imani Henry takes a real hard look at what transgender individuals face on a daily basis---discrimination, abuse, acceptance. The show dares us to actually acknowledge our gender privilege and see beyond what society has designed for us."
Ingrid Rivera, M.A. Activist/ performance artist/Lecturer

"B4T is story of self-discovery, survival, liberation and transcendence served up in a steaming brew of prose and poetry who's main ingredient is the explosive raw talent and charisma of Imani Henry. Before, "Before T", those of us fortunate to know Imani had little doubt that this in your face trans-activist/artist was on the cutting edge of a political and cultural awakening. "After T", a much broader audience will know it as well."
Larry Holmes, National Co-Director of the International Action –Center

"Imani Henry's B4T is a profound and moving gift to social justice movements. The writing
and acting exemplify the best of political art work -- complexities of life explored through thought-provoking creative expression. B4T is a reminder to all of us about what art should be in this country -- at the same time reminding us of the serious gaps in what currently passes as art in much of politically-censored, USA commercial art "
Joo-Hyun Kang, The Audre Lorde Project

**Organizational affiliation for identification purposes only**

Media Write-ups, Articles, and Interviews

“B4T (Before Testosterone)” defies gender boundaries--The Daily Free Press, 2003

Actor keeps edgy play well centered--Boston Globe review, 2003

Cutting Edge--The Theater Offensive’s annual assault, 2003

Gender Talk Coverage of the National Protest Against Bush's Inauguration, 2001

Coverage of Anti-Bush Demo, 2001

An Interview on The War against Yugoslavia, 2000

Additional Information on Media Coverage, Articles and Interviews

Credits

B4T : Before Testosterone

For Justice & Gery
Bcuz of T. & M.

Commissioned by the Brooklyn Arts Exchange Debut performances:
April 25-26, 2002 www.bax.org

Filmmaker: Ava Berkosky Assistant Director: Fran harris

Producer/Director: Collette Carter

Original Collaborators Ava Berkosky, Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley, Kenyon Farrow, Rebecca Finkel,
Amy Jo Goddard, fran harris, Tracey Harris, Shira Hassan, Michelle Quintus, & Andrea Wu

Characters
In Order of Appearance:

LaShanda Walker - on video - Imani Henry
Ashanti - Collette Carter / Carol Thompson
Keith Rodman - Imani Henry
As Himself - Imani Henry

Video Cast Members

Misguided Youth - Kenyon Farrow
Guard II - Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley
Cab Driver - Stephen Girasuolo
Guard I - AmyJo Goddard
Store Clerk - Shira Hassan
Woman in the Bathroom  - Bobbi Owens
Man on the Street - Salvatore Vidal-Ortiz

1. talk through the script with the Tech Crew
2. Do a QIIQ (cue to cue)
3. and then A dress rehearsal.